To most Canadians, the name Kitec means absolutely nothing. But to a significant number of condo owners, it represents the difference between holding on to thousands of dollars or seeing them disappear into staggering repair bills.

Kitec piping was once thought of as "an economical and easy-to-install alternative to copper piping" and became the brand of choice for piping in many Canadian condos built between 1995 and 2007. It was only years after most installations took place that people began to experience leaks and even busts with their Kitec pipes. Since then there have been mass repair advisories that end up putting condo owners, who unwittingly made those purchases, in a position where they have to take financial responsibility for the fix.

It's an unfortunate situation; one that prompted a sympathetic Toronto realtor to step in and lend a hand.

Claude Boiron is a broker, author, and university instructor who is now being dubbed "The Kitec Crusader" thanks to his standing offer to personally pay up to $10,000 from his own commissions towards Kitec repairs for any condo owner who buys or sells a property through his brokerage, The Boiron Group. Sure, there's certainly a self-serving angle to the arrangement; but if it's mutually beneficial, who can blame him?

"We've seen the confusion, anger, and concern of condo owners at town hall meetings," said Boiron. "Many are wondering how they will be able to afford this unforeseen cost or how they will be able to sell their condos with a Kitec crisis stated on their status certificates. This is a way that we can take this considerable burden off the shoulders of our past and future clients."